Hyundai Elantra Prices Paid and Buying Experience

Comments

I've looked at your other posts and a lot seem to just bash Hyundais for losing their value after 1 year. Quote just to illustrate from the Malibu forum:

If one pays the normal $20000 for a 27000msrp 09 Hyundai Sonata limited, it is not worth getting excited about 7000 off msrp, as the 08 Sonata has a trade in value of $11000. (if that)

In this example, one (many on the Sonata forum) has paid $9000 to drive a average sedan the 1st 12 months. This is whether you drive the car 1year or 10 years. One may also be paying finance charges on the 9000 for 5 years and be instantly underwater. Many are paying $6000 to drive the $20000 msrp Gls for 12 mo. $4000 off msrp here no great shakes.

Alright, let's play your game. First off, your numbers are wrong. An 08 Sonata Limited will fetch around $13k from a dealer trade in with 10k miles. A GLS will fetch around $11k. That's a $7k depreciation from the Limited and a $4-5k depreciation from the GLS.

Now this is a large depreciation - I will admit that. However, this is under the absolutely absurd assumption that you WILL trade in the car after one year. Who in their right mind would do that? Most people purchase a car to use it, not give it back after a year. If you keep the car for a longer period of time, you'll see the depreciation amounts begin to become closer.

Furthermore, this assumes that the cars your comparing are equal when they're absolutely not. Compare the Sonata to the Mazda3 and tell me you're getting the same features? Power seats, trunk space, safety, etc. You get MORE features for LESS money buying a Hyundai. That's something you can't factor into depreciation numbers.

Oh, and let's not forget the warranties here. Those Mazdas and Toyotas you seem to push only have 3/5 year warranties. Good luck with maintenance costs after that. Sure they could be reliable cars - that still doesn't mean they won't break and incur hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair costs. With Hyundais it's a non-issue. The warranty also makes a good selling point if you ever did want to sell it.

Basically, what I'm trying to say here is that you're just trying to scare people away. For some people a Hyundai might be the right car for them. Why try to stretch the truth and convince them otherwise? If they're happy with the car let them buy it. If you want to be helpful then tell them if the deal they've been offered is a good deal now - not a year from now.

This especially holds true for people like myself who like to drive their vehicles into the ground. I couldn't give a crap about the resale value. If I was planning on selling the vehicle after a year or two I would certainly take this into consideration.

I sat in a Rav4 because I thought it would fit my needs the best. Once I test drove it I realized that I would not be happy with the vehicle. I sat in the Elantra Touring and it felt perfect for me from the start. Why on earth would I want the Rav4 that I really didn't care for? Why drive it around and be unhappy with it knowing I paid more for less vehicle?

I think that is quite high. I traded in my 2004 Toyota Sienna Ltd and got $13,000 for it. I paid an additional 3,050 for a Touring with mats and wheel locks OTD. Mine does not have the Sport Package I got a price from another dealer w/o my trade of $16400 OTD.

This Is an 2009 Hyundai Elantra SE Carbon Gray on gray automatic .This is the mid range model. this has 16' allow wheels am/fm/cd/sat/aux , AC, cruise, 6 air bags, traction control, additional items from factory are carpeted floor mats and bluetooth. There are many other features this vehicles has that I have not stated.

I'm in central NJ. The wheel locks and mats are worth about $200. I assume yours has them as well. I received the price without the trade from Towne Hyundai's internet dept. They are in Denville, NJ. You might ask them for a quote and take it to your dealer. My quote included the 1500 rebate from Hyundai. I was able to negotiate Brad Benson Hyundai down lower, but I wouldn't go to them unless you are ready to walk out with a car. They are extremely high pressure and take your license and make you sign a form when you come in that you will definitely buy during that visit if the price is right. Towne Hyundai seemed much more honest.

How much is the sport package and bluetooth? My OTD price was $16,050 without the sport package and blue tooth but with mats and wheel locks. Of course, my tax was less than yours will be since I paid tax only on the $3,050 because of my trade. I do love the touring thus far. I just hit 1,000 miles this morning. My husband is disappointed in the gas mileage. I am getting between 24 and 25 mpg around town, and he was hoping for more. It's alot better than the 17 mpg I was getting with my Sienna though. My friend just purchased a 2008 Prius and is getting 50 mpg around town.

Yeah, that would kill your gas mileage so I am not surprised with what you are getting but look on the bright side, you still have about 9k more miles of break-in to go so your mileage will likely improve. And of course you are getting above the EPA rating of 23 city.

Hi all.I am looking forward to buying an Elantra w/popular package in Maryland. I was offered to purchase the vehicle at $12,702 + 695 (freight) = 13,397.I guess they really want to earn my business by not charging me its processing fee of 99. What you all think??

Ourisman in Laurel The price given is before taxes, registration, etc...

A reporter from a large newspaper is looking to speak to consumers who is considering purchasing a Hyundai or Kia or have purchased one this year. Please send your daytime phone number and the vehicle you own to ctalati@edmunds.com by Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

Thanks,ChintanCorporate CommunicationsEdmunds.com

MODERATOR

Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.

Just bought a 2009 touring, automatic, with floor mats, I-Pod cable, and mud guards. With free oil changes, inspections, & tires for two years.$14,830 out the door. Taxes, registration, and fees were around $800 (I live in Virginia). So my price was at $14,000. Hope this helps anyone that's shopping.

Wow. You did get a great deal. I bought my first car and I don't think I did very well. I paid $16,000 plus taxes (4.1%) and registration for a 2009 Hyundai Elantra SE with Bluetooth and carpet mats. No other charges. No trade-in. I have a credit score of 809, but the best offer on the financing was 4.40%. I bought the car in Colorado where I live. It was actually the last silver SE car in the whole state, but the dealer didn't know that I really wanted that color. I just didn't realize how low you could go in negotiations until I read this site. I feel a little taken.

In Colorado, the dealer puts on temporary tags when you buy the car. I don't need to pay for tags and registration until I pick up the tags two months later. In Maryland, do they make you pay for the temporary tags when you buy the car? Or is that $237.00 for your tags and registration for the year? Thanks.

After the JD Power report yesterday on CNBC, I think the resale of the Hyundai Elantra SE has just gone way up. I don't know if you remember, but the resale value of a Honda use to be very poor in the US. It took years for their resale value to go up as their quality was established.

Hyundai has gotten pretty good JD Power scores for several years now. It will take more than a good score in the IQS to bring the resale value of the Elantra SE "way up". I think other events such as the steady improvement in quality over the past ten years, favorable reviews by the likes of Edmunds.com and CR, and the long-term uptick in the price of gas will have more effect on the Elantra's resale value than a JD Power IQS survey. But it doesn't hurt. USA Today even featured a photo of the Elantra with its story on the IQS results.

Thanks, jfritsch, but the Kia isn't rated as high as the Hyundai Elantra SE in Consumers Reports. So I think I'll stick with the SE. I do keep my cars till they die, by then the Hyundai will probably be like the Honda in resale. But, regardless, by then it won't be worth much no matter what type of car it is.... Though I must say, I sold my 12 year old car in 15 minutes on craigslist for $4,500. Never know....